Chapter 304: Approach to Power (1/2)

“Three hundred and you already took one down? Not bad Ilea.” Maro nodded, “Especially for a healer.” His grin brightened his face, green eyes sparkling.

“Suspected as much. Well I guess I’m going to be underestimated again.” Ilea said, sitting down on the chair and putting away the Kingsguard blade again after showing him. “You’re not fucking with me are you?”

[Necromancer – lvl 310]

Maro laughed, shaking his head, “No, for once I’m not. You identify as a healer. Having told me about both classes leveling I assume your first class is the healer one. If your second one gets higher you’ll be a warrior or mage again, depending on what it is.”

“Well, speaking of underestimating I have to give credit where credit is due. I thought I’d be stuck in her for a decade at least. When you talked about the Descent as well as the Taleen dungeon. Seeing your constant growth, I hoped for a couple years. To think it took less than a couple months.” He shook his head.

“And here I though I was crazy.” The king laughed and Ilea smiled, sitting in her Hand leather armor, cuts showing on her shoulder and side. Nothing that would threaten the integrity of the outfit but she would have to change it eventually.

At least I have regenerating armor now. That fight would have used up like ten sets of my usual one. Might have even cut straight through my limbs again. Even with all those bonuses. She sighed.

His eyes were focused on her, “What? Not satisfied with your growth? Even though you’re one of the youngest people I’ve met reaching three hundred? With an assortment of abilities that would actually let you advance even further?”

“No I’m definitely happy. Just a bit tired is all.” Ilea replied. She could face and kill Kingsguard that were being healed, a feat she doubted a whole human expedition would manage. Fuckers were at level five hundred after all.

“You don’t really need much sleep anymore do you? Oh… tired of all the fighting. Well I can see that. I appreciate it you know.”

Ilea smirked and leaned her head back, looking at the white marble ceiling, “Didn’t do it for you Maro. You could however have given me some info about the magic abilities they have. The one I faced sent mana waves capable of cutting through steel my way.”

“Sure, you didn’t.” He smiled, looking incredibly handsome. “As to their abilities, when I created them they didn’t have such. Capable swordsmen and women, sure. You’ll have to figure it out by yourself.”

She only watched through her sphere, not giving him the satisfaction. Neither did she react in any way. He wasn’t much of a help regarding the abilities of the Kingsguard either.

“Well we can visit Lisburg when I’m out. Catelyn told me most of the city turned dungeon is now a place where Dark Ones dwell. Fine by me, as long as there’s something to eat and drink. Some of the vineyards still remain I’m told.” He added.

“Can’t imagine a more relaxing dungeon exploration than a team with you and Terok in it.”

He snorted, “Oh stop it, you love us. Even if you hate us.”

How does that even make sense. Ilea asked herself but realized she was smiling despite his nonsense.

Sitting up again, she spoke, “You’re not going to visit Elana in Hallowfort? I’m sure she already has plans to implement you in her takeover of the world.”

His lips formed a line, eyes losing some of their joy, “She does. Which is why she’s not here and why I won’t be visiting her. At least not immediately. I declined my help. We were a good team, built a kingdom and governed more or less successfully. Decades of work and dedication. I would fight and die for Rhyvor Ilea, even today. Nearly did in the end. But this is it.”

“And here I thought a necromancer at three hundred wouldn’t need sleep either.” She said, crossing her arms.

Maro snorted, “She blames me I think.” His voice was quiet again, “For being stuck with me all this time.”

“When you were king and queen?”

“No. In here.” He said.

Ilea raised her eyebrows, “Well as far as I recall it was her choice. Or was that a lie?”

“It was her choice.”

Ilea smiled, “Oh I get it. You think she blames you for falling in love with you. Pretty insensitive, she’s been down here for decades you know, conscious at least. Maybe you just fucked up an enchantment or something.”

He laughed in turn, “I can see why you would think that. I’m a king Ilea, there’s hardly a man in a position to think higher of himself than that. Still, you don’t know her. Not like I do.”

“True. Why do you care then? She hasn’t given you much attention sine you woke up.”

He smiled, shaking his head, “Now you’re the one being insensitive. Well I can see why you dislike her. She never liked Elana either.”

Ilea cocked her head, “She?”

“Adventurer friend of old. You reminded me of her before. Now you seem quite different but there are some things that fit. A dislike for Elana being one of them. For understandable reasons.”

“You think she’s still around? Might be fun if you think she’s similar.” Ilea commented.

“She was cut apart in an inn, by a bunch of mercenaries she offended. Half drunk I was told.” Maro said.

She pointed at him, “Doesn’t sound like me then. I’m uncuttable. Did you kill the mercenaries?”

“Doubt it. She was pretty tough too. Not expecting an attack can do a number on you. No. The girl had friends all over, someone else reached them before me. Nasty scene.” His voice had turned even more quiet.

“We found him by the way. Terok found him. The knight patrolling the throne room.” Maro said suddenly. Seeing her questioning gaze, he elaborated, “My… son. Well, his body at least.”

Ilea nodded. I’ll try not to smash his face in. She didn’t voice the thought, unsure why he had even shared it in the first place. She hadn’t forgotten his plea to keep their corpses. For a funeral or additional resurrection, she didn’t know. Either way, she didn’t fear him. Hadn’t before but now she was even confident in facing him. A bunch of undead wouldn’t stop her from crushing his skull, before they could tear through her defenses. The thought felt weird. Ilea knew him, considered him a friend even. Yet she couldn’t shake the suspicion, her rational mind sure he was too smart for such a stupid move.

Sighing again, she looked through her potential third tier advancements.

“You’re in a terrific mood today.” Maro said.

She stared at him, “Be happy someone came to visit grandpa.”

Confusion was apparent on his face before he started laughing, Ilea focusing back on her skills.

‘3rd tier skill points available [The Azarinth Sentinel]: 1’

‘Skills available for third tier advancement in [The Azarinth Sentinel]:’

- Sentinel Sphere

- Azarinth Perception

- Azarinth Reversal

3rd tier skill points available [Kin of Ash]: 1

Skills available for third tier advancement in [Kin of Ash]:

- Storm of Cinders